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This Pet Gift Guide Comes Dog (& Dog-Mom) Approved
The quickest way to melting any discerning person’s heart — whether they be stoic bosses, uptight inlaws, picky family members, or high-maintenance SOs — is through their pet. (I say this with confidence as the very particular dog mom of a 15-pound rescue pup who now owns more knitwear than I do.) When the holidays roll in and difficult giftees start to stump you, your safest bet is to buy something special for their four-legged someone instead.To lend a paw, I put together a shopping guide to the most stylish, surprising, and aww-inducing pet gifts that I would be thrilled to receive — plus, a handful that I already own (IRL model shots of my fur-child, Arlo, included). There’s everything from pet-sized Carhart jackets to hot-sauce chew toys, dog DNA-testing kits that give 23andMe a run for its money, and cat-scratch lounges fit for a roped-off corner of Art Basel. Whether you want to spend a lot or a little, for feline or canine, the presents ahead are crafted to impress the hands that feed them. Because remember: a gift for a pet is, at the end of the (holi)day, a gift for its human. At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.Carhartt Dog Chore CoatNow you and your pup can both live your best #cabincore life. This coat has a durable exterior that protects Arlo’s coat from any harsh weather (rain, prickers on hikes, etc.) while also boasting a comfy quilted interior that keeps her warm on chillier days.Carhartt Carhartt Chore Dog Coat, $, available at AmazonAmerican Eagle Fringe Hot Sauce ToyFinally, their pups can safely share their love affair with hot sauce.AE Fringe Hot Sauce Dog Toy, $, available at American Eagle OutfittersNest Bolstered Dog BedAny pet parent would be thrilled to receive this eco-friendly and insanely comfortable bolstered bed (Arlo owns this and I, too, have contemplated curling up inside it). The plus product is crafted from a durable canvas-cotton fabric that’s then filled with breathable and non-absorbent 100%-green-waste recycled plastic. Nest Bedding Bolstered Dog Bed, $, available at Nest BeddingEmbark Dog DNA TestMy co-dog-parent actually gave me this DNA testing kit during our first Christmas after adopting Arlo — as it turns out, she’s the world’s tiniest Border Collie mix! It’s pricey, so it really makes the perfect holiday-gift excuse. Embark boasts a database of over 350 dog breeds, types, and varieties that it uses its research-grade genotyping platform (“developed in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine”) to give you an accurate breakdown of your pup’s genetic (and medical!) history. Embark Dog DNA Test | Breed Identification Kit, $, available at AmazonKULE x Maxbone Striped TeeIf you want to seriously wow your giftee, then don’t just surprise them with this very-chic 95% cotton tee from Maxbone’s recent collab with KULE — pair it with the human-sized version, too. You know, so they can both put out the “French minimalism and classic Americana” style vibe.Kule Striped Tee, $, available at maxboneKule The Modern Long – Black/Cream, $, available at KuleKin + Kind CBD Calming Dog Massage FoamPups deserve some self-care, too — gift their owners this bottle of rinse-free massage foam crafted from a calming blend of all-natural, hemp-derived CBD that’s tested and approved by vets to encourage relaxation. Kin + Kind CBD Calming Dog Massage Foam, $, available at NordstromRecreation Center Handmade Ceramic Pet BowlFor interior-minded pet parents: a food or water bowl that is worthy of their design-forward space. These unique pieces are wheel-thrown in Brooklyn, NY, and crafted from a speckled clay that’s finished with a glossy matte glaze.Recreation Center Handmade Ceramic Pet Bowl, $, available at Coming SoonEtsy Licensed NFL Customizable Pet JerseyThis one makes an ideal gift for any football-lover in your life who also happens to own a dog (or a cat!). Completely customizable, from the sizing to the name, these jerseys are crafted from satin and poly-mesh that’s “just like the athletes wear.”notspoiledatall New York Giants licensed pet jersey, $, available at EtsyHaute Diggity Dog White Paw Plush Dog ToyFor your White-Claw-loving, pet-obsessed pals — the plays on words here are pawfect.Haute Diggity Dog White Paw Muttlennial Mango Plush Dog Toy, $, available at NordstromWest & Willow Custom Pet PortraitI can confirm that immortalizing their beloved pet with a custom art piece is always a good gift idea.West & Willow Custom Pet Portraits, $, available at West & WillowCustom Breed Dog SocksThe same goes for a pair of socks. Wheelhouse Choose Your Dog Breed Socks, $, available at Uncommon GoodsUrban Oufitters Cat MassagerAlthough this is a dog-heavy gift guide, cats deserve lots of lovin’ too — and this gem is a brilliant stocking stuffer for feline-owning humans. The little device’s pronged and wheeled construction makes for optimum kitty cheek scritches. Urban Outfitters Cat Massager, $, available at Urban OutfittersWild One Dog Grooming SetDogs deserve spa days too. In all seriousness, I swear by Wild One’s eucalyptus wipes (and shampoo!) as a surefire way to keep Arlo’s paws and coat squeaky clean and smelling like a fresh eucalyptus dream. As an added bonus, the wipes are actually biodegradable and made with coconut water plus soothing aloe vera — and both goods are hypoallergenic, human-grade (if you wanna’ use it on your own head), vegan, and free of all chemicals.Wild One Grooming Kit, $, available at Wild OneLittle Beast Flower Power Sweater Crafted by the stylish-pet label, Little Beast, giftees will want one of these super-soft acrylic-yarn sweaters stitched with groovy flowers for themselves. Little Beast Flower Power Sweater, $, available at Little BeastMaxbone The Daily Walk Face Mask & Bandana PackA very 2020 doggo gift. Owners can match their best pals in safe style while out for walks with this matching bandana-mask duo crafted from breathable 100%-cotton materials. maxbone The Daily Walk Face Mask & Bandana Pack, $, available at maxboneZazzle Custom Pet Photo Cloth Face MaskOwners can also sport their #1 pet’s mug on their mug with this customizable cloth face mask that is sure to bring joy to every socially-distant person’s path they cross while wearing it.CharmWorthy Custom Pet Photo Cloth Mask, $, available at ZazzlePetFushion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge There appears to be an entire subset of Amazon filled with artful cat-scratch boxes boasting 10,000+ rave customer reviews — therefore I’m pretty sure any of the statement-making designs will surely please a discerning cat and their equally discerning owner.PetFushion Ultimate Cat Scratcher Lounge, $, available at AmazonHouse Dogge B-Boo Leather LeashNow they can transform their pup’s leash into an aesthetically-pleasing decor piece with this artful creation. The leash is crafted from vegetable-tanned leather and the ergonomic walking handle from sustainably-grown and hand-sanded bamboo.House Dogge B-Boo Leather Leash, $, available at West ElmSnif-Snax Happy Holiday Cat Treat Advent CalendarMy mom sent me the dog version of this top-rated treat advent calendar and I (plus Arlo) concur that it is just delightful. This feline edition is packed full of 25-days worth of kitty treats — each made from high-quality, Scotland-raised Atlantic salmon that’s omega-rich and free of antibiotics, grains, and GMO.Snif-Snax Happy Holiday Cat Treat Advent Calendar, $, available at ChewyThe Foggy Dog Clean-Up Bag DispenserMake picking up number twos a much lovelier affair with one of these chicly handcrafted in the USA bag dispensers that will neatly attach to their pup’s leash. The Foggy Dog Clean-Up Bag Dispenser, $, available at AnthropologieHarry Barker Madras Bandana Arlo wears this 100%-cotton bandana every day. It’s survived rainy day walks, muddy-ball-chasing sessions, being dipped into her food bowl, and during one particularly queasy car ride — and it still looks vibrant and feels incredibly soft. Harry Barker Madras Bandana, $, available at Harry BarkerWondershop Round Hooded Cat BedTreat a cat and their human to this incredibly cozy looking “hooded” bed crafted from the fleeciest sherpa material.Wondershop Round Hooded Cat Bed, $, available at TargetOFFLEASH By Aerie Puppy Puffer JacketGo with a very giftable pupper-puffer jacket crafted from durable yet soft nylon and fashioned with a nifty snow-blocking hood. Hot tip: AE makes a human-sized version, too for major matching gift-set goals.OFFLEASH OFFLEASH By Aerie Puppy Puffer Jacket, $, available at AerieLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?17 Fun Gifts To Give Your Sister This Holiday14 Natural-Hair Gifts Perfect For Kinks To Curls18 Gifts For New Moms (& Not Their New Babies)
